Radio-Frequency Atomic Magnetometers for Medical Applications

该项目旨在将一种新的测量方法（低电导率样品的测绘）与一种新型传感器的实现相结合，从而产生用于医疗应用的磁感应断层扫描系统。这取决于UCL团队最近（2014年）的突破，原子磁强计电磁成像的演示，以及随后（2016年）将其应用于房颤诊断的建议。到目前为止，只有一种非侵入性的心脏被动磁场测绘方法是可能的，而其他电导率测绘技术需要手术。通过磁感应断层成像的心脏磁成像技术的发展将提供一个独特的替代心律失常的侵入性测绘。拟议的研究包括下列活动：(a)射频原子磁强计便携式系统的组装，并评价其在无屏蔽环境下的性能。这是评估手术在临床环境中的适用性所必需的。(b) 1兆赫的磁感应演示，并确定仪器对这类测量的灵敏度。这将通过在样品物体中诱导涡流并检测产生的磁场来实现。其目的是能够检测到直径为1毫米，厚度为1毫米，并具有相应导电性的生物样品。这将为磁力计在医学成像应用方面的应用铺平道路，这将是与本提议有关的可行性研究之外的研究对象。(c)开发可与成像系统结合的探测系统组件。

The project aims to combine a novel approach to measurement (mapping of low-conductivity samples) with the implementation of a novel type of sensor which results in a Magnetic Induction Tomography system for medical applications. This relies on a recent (2014) breakthrough by the UCL team, the demonstration of electromagnetic imaging with atomic magnetometers, and the subsequent (2016) proposal for its application in the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. So far, only passive magnetic field mapping of the heart with a non-invasive method has been possible, whereas other conductivity mapping techniques require surgery. The developed technique for magnetic heart imaging through magnetic induction tomography would provide an unique alternative to invasive mapping of arrhythmia. The proposed research includes the following activities: (a) The assembly of an rf-atomic magnetometer portable system, and the evaluation of its performance in unshielded environment. This is required to assess the suitability for the operation in a clinical environment.(b) Demonstration of magnetic induction at 1 MHz, and determination of the sensitivity of the apparatus for this type of measurements. This will be done by inducing eddy currents in a sample object and detecting the resulting magnetic field. The aim is to be able to detect a disk of 1 mm diameter and 1 mm thickness, and with conductivity corresponding to biological samples. This will pave the way for the use of the magnetometer in imaging for medical applications which will be the object of the research beyond the feasibility study associated with the present proposal. (c) Development of the detection system components that will allow integration with imaging system.